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I have done a lot of reading about the different cai available for my 03 z. Bones stock for now other than bb exhaust. I like the Varaam (looks like great gains) but it sounds like the install is a real pain (also is it worth the extra money to get the air duct). I have looked at the blackwing , calloway, and even the K&n. I want something that is easy to install that will get more air for when I put my headers and cam in down the road. I do not want to do the zip tie mod either. I'm I overanalyzing the installation of the varaam or is it truly a pain to install. Thanks for your comments and suggestion in advance.
I installed the Calloway Honker - high quality components, well engineered for a very factory appearing, clean installation. A true CAI. Only downside is the cost...
I put the duel K&N on mine 19 years ago that you see here. At the time there were not a lot to choose from. What i read from back then, the stock air box was terrible and anything was better so this is what i put on. Not popular here but i was not looking for big gains but something that was better than stock. Easy to deal with. I do not won't to cut my shroud.
Is there any cutting on the Calloway? I do not want to cut anything. Like I said everyone has Varram and seems performance wise good but i am not cutting apart my car or taking a mechanics class to install it...lol
I just went with the Vararam (with power duct). It should arrive early next week. I've read the stories about the install and watched the video a couple of times too. At first I wanted nothing to do with it. Really still don't, but figured for an hour or two of my time, based on the feedback, it should be worth the effort. If I was going to spend ANY money and invest some time, I wanted something I would be happy with. I hope I am right.
What is the real benefit of power duct? I just plan on installing CAI this year and wait to get a tune next year when I do headers. Damn..Calloway honker is expensive compared to varaam.
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The Vararam should give you the best increase in performance, probably followed by the Callaway Honker. I have been running a Blackwing on my last two C5s and I like that product and the install is very easy. I do believe you need to cut the radiator shroud to install the Honker.
Do the Vararam and be done. I had a Blackwing first, then went with the Vararam due to better performance. I will say, I liked the Blackwing a lot, though and it looked nicer, but the Vararam gives you about .1-.2 more power if you are racing because of the ram air effect. Eventually I got rid of the Vararam though and went with a Paxton.
Years ago our club was fortunate to have one of the GM test engineers give a talk about the C5, modifications for racing, etc. The Veraram was relatively new but they found out it did have a ram air effect, as I recall it was about 0.7hp at 75mph cruise and upto 4 hp gains at 150 mph. He mentioned that theoretically at 300 mph you would really experience the ram air effect of almost 100 hp. Also he explained the difference between the "ice box" Cold Air intake--before the Calloway was introduced--and Veraram intake and said they was no noticeable difference up to 120-130 mph. At speeds over that number the Veraram intake was in a low pressure area and would loose a little to the bottom feeder CAI.
Since I mostly autocross and very seldom hit more than 140 on any tracks around here, I went with the Veraram and am happy with the results, especially after the final tune.
You do not need to cut anything to install a Vararam
It does NOT need a tune.
It is a pain to install corrctly, and takes some time.
You will not injest water into the engine
Its not going show gains on the Dyno......
A C5 with just headers and cat back WILL pick up between 2 and 3 tenths in the quarter. - If ET an reduction in the 1320 is your game, thats a huge improvement.
Last edited by warren s; Jan 14, 2017 at 07:11 PM.
If you are NOT cutting the radiator shroud you are just installing a fancier way to suck hot engine air into the engine. The only true cold air intakes must have some way of taking outside air into the engine compartment. Aside from the OEM-like quality, you get what you pay for with the Callaway Honker, a unit designed by true engineers. When they designed theirs, they relocated the MAF up in front of the throttle body, as GM did when the C6 was introduced. It's also been reported to actually make significant hp increases, even without a tune. You get what you pay for. I have had the Honker for many years and have been totally happy with it.
Cold AIr Intakes
Do the Vararam and be done. I had a Blackwing first, then went with the Vararam due to better performance. I will say, I liked the Blackwing a lot, though and it looked nicer, but the Vararam gives you about .1-.2 more power if you are racing because of the ram air effect. Eventually I got rid of the Vararam though and went with a Paxton. 
